11-year-old completes heart transplant rehabilitation at Blythedale Children’s Hospital

A young girl is finally headed home after months of therapy at a Valhalla hospital.

News 12 Staff

Jan 24, 2020, 7:37 PM

Updated 1,564 days ago

Share:

A young girl is finally headed home after months of therapy at a Valhalla hospital.
Michal Lavi, an Israeli citizen, has been at Blythedale Children’s Hospital since November 2019.
She arrived at Blythedale following a successful heart transplant surgery in New York City. Prior to the procedure, Lavi was born with a rare heart defect that forced her to have a pacemaker implanted at 5 years old.
For unknown reasons, the device failed in May 2019. That led the family to fly to the United States for the tedious surgery.
Luckily, the family received news on Rosh Hashana that a heart had been found.
“…It's like a new beginning and for us, it's a new birthday for Michal,” says mother Tamar Lavi.
Doctors believe she’s come a long way, highlighting her resilience and hard work.
“She came here weak, deconditioned following her heart transplant and a stroke. And she has made tremendous progress,” says Dr. Kathy Silverman of Blythedale Children’s Hospital.
News 12 was told family members have anticipated her discharge day for a while.
“I remember seeing other patients leaving and feeling in my heart like I want to leave too. And finally, it's our moment, and I’m so excited,” says Lavi’s mother.
The 11-year-old will continue rehab at Blythedale Children’s Hospital on an outpatient basis. The family plans to return to their home country with her once the doctors grant permission.
 


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

2:24
Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

0:29
Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger